[reed]

When a crystal like Bismuth forms, why does it grow in the perfect squares it does? Why aren't they found in nature? Are Bismuth crystals specifically designed to look like squares, or do they form like that because of a natural crystal growth process? Are the squares shapes found in bismuth the way it's atoms bond and shape together like in any other crystal?

Thanks.

[Arkcon]

Yes, pretty much to all your questions, because they all ask the same thing.  The atoms arrange themselves in repeating units, and in macroscopic forms, we notice their geometric shapes.  Crystals of various shapes are quite common in nature, but some of the softer metals, especially gold and silver, but also occasionally lead, and even bismuth, are deformed, and flattened.

[reed]

So, essentially the crystals WOULD form in those squares if they grew under a perfect environment and not affected by various outside hazards? I am trying to find out if these angles are formed by some sort of human process that affects the crystals shape. Somebody keeps reminding me that there are no "perfect right triangles" found in nature, and these crystals prove supposedly otherwise.

Thanks.

[Borek]

Somebody keeps reminding me that there are no "perfect right triangles" found in nature

So somebody is wrong

[Arkcon]

Truly, I submit to you, "in nature" vs. "in the lab" what do those terms mean?  Like the lab is, in some way, not part of nature?  Just because it's, what, got florescent lighting?  lab benches? pyrex glassware?  guys and gals in white coats?

[AWK]

When a crystal like Bismuth forms, why does it grow in the perfect squares it does? Why aren't they found in nature? Are Bismuth crystals specifically designed to look like squares, or do they form like that because of a natural crystal growth process? Are the squares shapes found in bismuth the way it's atoms bond and shape together like in any other crystal?

Thanks.

Squares? - do you mean cubes?

Bismut as an element is quite reactive

[Arkcon]

Squares? - do you mean cubes?

Bismuth crystals are pretty impressive.  As you can see, they are layers of square faces, built on the cubic crystals.

Bismut as an element is quite reactive

'Course, part of the appeal is the rainbow birefringence the oxide forms on the crystals.

[Arkcon]

But then again, even halite is pretty cool ...

[enahs]

What does not look cool through a really nice microscope?